Almost one in three young people not registered to vote

Almost one in three people aged 18-25 in Kilkenny are not registered to vote, with two important referenda and the Carlow/Kilkenny by-election only a month away.

Almost one in three people aged 18-25 in Kilkenny are not registered to vote, with two important referenda and the Carlow/Kilkenny by-election only a month away.

A RedC/NYCI poll last autumn found that up to 30% of 18-25 year olds were not on the electoral register here. Based on the most recent data from the Central Statistics Office, that would mean up to 2,463 young people in the county risk missing out on being able to vote.

The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) is urging this cohort to make sure they have registered to vote in time for May 22. The registration deadline is Tuesday, May 5.

“We know from our work with young people that the vast majority of them want to vote but are not aware they have to register to vote or only become aware after the deadline for inclusion in the supplementary register,” said James Doorley, NYCI deputy director.

“This is particularly an issue for young people who turned 18 and became eligible to vote since the local and European elections in 2014.”

Any young person who is 18 years of age on or before May 22 is eligible to vote. If they are not currently registered, they can do so by downloading and filling in the RFA2 form at www.checktheregister.ie. This form must be brought to and stamped at a Garda Station where the applicant is required to bring ID and returned to the local authority before close of business on Tuesday, May 5.

“With the upcoming bank holiday weekend the latest day for posting the form is effectively Friday, May 1,” said Mr Doorley.

“We strongly encourage young people to register and to go out and vote in the upcoming referendums. It is your democratic right and a great opportunity to have your say in shaping the future of this country.”

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